Tabaco Updates (Publicación)

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Expression of the transcription factors Otlx2, Barx1 and Sox9 during mouse odontogenesis.

The molecular mechanisms governing the decision between molariform and incisiform patterns of rodent dentition are not yet known. Transcription factors are regulators of regionally specific morphogenesis and key co-ordinators of gene activity during developmental processes. Here, we analysed the expression of several transcription factors during mouse tooth development. Otlx2/Rieg is a homeobox gene involved in Rieger syndrome, a human disorder characterized by dental hypoplasia. Otlx2/Rieg expression distinguishes stomatodeal epithelium well before tooth initiation, and thereafter its expression becomes restricted to the epithelia of both molar and incisor primordia. The recently identified homeodomain transcription factor Barx1 is first expressed in mesenchyme of the first branchial arch, but during advanced developmental stages the gene is exclusively expressed in the mesenchyme of molar primordia. Finally, the Sry-related transcription factor Sox9 is expressed in epithelial components and to a lesser degree in condensed mesenchyme of the developing teeth. These results suggest that Otlx2/Rieg, Barx1, and Sox9 participate in the hierarchical cascade of factors involved in the regulation of tooth morphogenesis.

Mouse Otlx2/RIEG expression in the odontogenic epithelium precedes tooth initiation and requires mesenchyme-derived signals for its maintenance.

The mouse Otlx2 gene is a new member of the paired-like family of homeobox genes whose human homologue, RIEG, is involved in Rieger syndrome, an autosomal-dominant disorder. One of the cardinal features of Rieger syndrome is dental hypoplasia, indicating that Otlx2/RIEG activity is essential for normal tooth development. Here, we analyzed the expression of Otlx2 during mouse tooth development and studied its regulation in dental explants. Otlx2 expression distinguishes stomatodeal from other ectoderm as early as Embryonic Day 8.5, well before tooth initiation. Thereafter, its craniofacial expression becomes restricted to the tooth-forming areas and to the epithelial components of molar and incisor primordia. Although Otlx2 induction precedes the specification of odontogenic mesenchyme, tissue recombination experiments show that the maintenance of its expression requires signals from the mesenchyme and that dental mesenchyme has the capacity to induce ectopic expression of Otlx2 in nondental epithelium. Finally, we compare Otlx2 expression with that of the recently identified homeodomain transcription factor Barx1 expressed in molar mesenchyme. Their strictly complementary expression patterns in the epithelial and mesenchymal components suggest that both genes participate in the reciprocal tissue interactions which are a hallmark of odontogenesis.

Identification, genetic and biochemical analysis of genes involved in synthesis of sugar nucleotide precursors of xanthan gum.

A genetic and biochemical analysis of Xanthomonas campestris chromosomal functions required for xanthan polysaccharide synthesis (xps) was undertaken. Seven xps DNA regions were isolated after conjugation of chemically induced non-mucoid mutants with a genomic library of X. campestris DNA. No overlapping segments between regions were detected, based on physical mapping, indicating the unlinked character of these regions. Clones complementing several different mutants belonging to the same region contained overlapping segments of X. campestris chromosomal DNA. Complementation and biochemical analysis, and DNA mapping were used to identify and characterize xpsZZZ, ZV and VZ DNA regions. Mutants in these three regions were able to synthesize both lipid intermediates and xanthan gum in vitro when sugar nucleotides were provided as substrates. HPLC analysis of the intracellular sugar nucleotide content showed that the XpsIII group comprises two different classes of mutants : XpsIIIA, defective in UDP-glucose, UDP-glucuronic acid and GDP-mannose, and XpsIIIB,defective in GDP-mannose. XpsIV mutants were defective in UDP-glucose and UDP-glucuronic acid, and XpsVI mutants were defective only in UDP-glucuronic acid. Analysis of enzyme activities involved in the synthesis of UDP-glucose, GDP-mannose and UDP-glucuronic acid indicated that the xpsZZZA region affects the activity of the phosphoglucomutase/phosphomannomutase enzyme, and the xpsZZZB region affects the mannoisomerase/phosphomannoisomerase activities. The xpsZV mutations affect the activity of the UDPG-pyrophosphorylase enzyme, and the xps VZ mutations affect the activity of the UDPG-dehydrogenase enzyme.

Branching enzyme assay: selective quantitation of the alpha 1,6-linked glucosyl residues involved in the branching points.

Methods previously described for glycogen or amylopectin branching enzymatic activity are insufficiently sensitive and not quantitative. A new, more sensitive, specific, and quantitative one was developed. It is based upon the quantitation of the glucose residues joined by alpha 1,6 bonds introduced by varying amounts of branching enzyme. The procedure involved the synthesis of a polysaccharide from Glc-1-P and phosphorylase in the presence of the sample to be tested. The branched polysaccharide was then purified and the glucoses involved in the branching points were quantitated after degradation with phosphorylase and debranching enzymes. This method appeared to be useful, not only in enzymatic activity determinations but also in the study of the structure of alpha-D-glucans when combined with those of total polysaccharide quantitation, such as iodine and phenol-sulfuric acid.